India and England are historically not regarded as the fiercest rivals, especially in the ODI format. However, the rivalry has increased in recent times between the two cricket-loving nations. In the recent past, England and India's ODI matches have become thrilling and nail-biting due to the performance of the world-class players from both sides.
Since their maiden clash in 1974, the two teams have faced off in a total of 103 ODI matches. Looking at the records India has the upper hand in ODIs over their opponent. India has claimed victory in 55 games while England has emerged victoriously on 43 occasions. As India is preparing for their tour of England, involving 1 off test, 3 ODIs and 3 T20s. We take a look at some of the most thrilling India vs England matches.
Natwest Series Final, Lord's 2002
The Natwest Series final at Lord's in 2002 involving India and England was a spectacle as the fans got treated to a riveting contest with two Indian youngsters stealing the show. The Tri-series between India, Sri Lanka, and hosts England saw an India vs England final at Lord's. While England bossed for a major course of the match, it was the partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif that stole all the limelight. Batting first, England scored their highest ODI total of 325. Marcus Trescothick and skipper Nasser Hussain scored centuries in the first innings. India was up for the challenge of chasing mammoth 326 runs to win the Natwest trophy. The Men in Blue got off to a great start with skipper Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag taking the attack to England in the first 15 overs. However, what followed was a middle-order collapse as India lost wickets in a heap. All the hopes of the match were in the hands of two youngsters Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh who batted sensationally and together scored a match-winning partnership of 121 runs which helped India to a famous two-wicket win over England. After India's remarkable turnaround Sourav Ganguly celebrated by removing his t-shirt from the lord's balcony.
India vs England 6th ODI, Mumbai 2002
It was an ODI classic that went down the wire and was one of the earliest India vs England matches that had enough drama for the taking. Going into the 6th ODI on England's tour of India in 2002, India was leading by a margin of 3-2 and were expected to secure another win to claim the series in their backyard. However, England's Andrew Flintoff had some other plans as he bowled a match-winning last over to get his team above the line and eventually level the series by 3-3. India was chasing a target of 256 runs and the match was played at Wankhede stadium. India needed 11 runs from the last over but fell short by 5 runs. Flintoff, who took three wickets in the innings, removed his short as a mark of celebration as he went about waving it around the entire ground.
World Cup Match, Bengaluru 2011
It was the most thrilling India vs England ODI match which eventually ended in a tie at Bengaluru's M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in World Cup 2011. It was a high-scoring contest as India posted a total of 338 runs courtesy of a century innings from Sachin Tendulkar and a couple of notable contributions from Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir. Despite chasing a high score of over 300, England batters pace their innings exceedingly well. Skipper Andrew Strauss led from the front and scored a magnificent 158-run innings to allow his team a chance to secure a win. However, some canny stuff from Zaheer Khan in the middle-overs saw the game in the balance. It was an eventful fixture where even 100 overs of exhilarating cricket couldn't separate the two teams.
Champions Trophy Final, Edgbaston 2013
In the champions trophy Final 2013, India was up against the hosts England at Edgbaston. Ms Dhoni-led Indian side was eyeing their second champions trophy win since 2002, the hosts were keen on winning their maiden 50-over ICC tournament. It was another instance of a cracker of an India vs England contest. However, due to rain interruption, the match was reduced to 20 overs per side. In the eventual T20 conquest, England put India to bat first on a decent surface in Birmingham. was a low-scoring game and India could barely score 129 runs in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli was the highest scorer for India scoring 44 runs. It was a below-par total and England was expected to cruise to the target. However, the second innings was a topsy-turvy ride as Indian bowlers made the target look humongous as the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite quick wickets, the partnership of Morgan and Bopara resurrected their batting innings and threatened to overhaul India's target. However, all their hopes were dashed in a space of two balls when Ishant Sharma picked both of them on consecutive deliveries. In the end, India proved too good for the hosts and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. It was one of the most thrilling India vs England matches which were worthy enough of a final.
India vs England 2nd ODI Cuttack 2017
Another high-scoring encounter involving India and England unfolded at Cuttack during the England tour of India in 2017. It was the 2nd ODI and India was leading 1-0 in the 3-match ODI series. England won the toss and opted to field first. England's pacer Chris Woakes rattled India's top order by taking 3 wickets. India lost their top order at just 25 runs on the board. It was because of the experienced duo of Dhoni and Yuvraj the score reached above 300. The pair added 256 runs to record the second-highest partnership for the fourth wicket in ODI history. While Yuvraj registered his highest ODI score of 150, MS Dhoni complemented the southpaw with a brilliant 134. Despite a valiant effort from the England skipper Eoin Morgan who scored 102 from 84, the visitors fell short by 15 runs. It was a high-scoring thriller that went down to the wire.
